Haye's corner threw in the towel during the 11th round on Saturday night after the Londoner fought on for five rounds with a ruptured Achilles.

The 36-year-old faces an uncertain future after undergoing surgery - but Bellew could also hang up his gloves.

When asked whether he could quit, he told BBC Radio Five Live : "It's an option and it's something I am thinking about. I don't know how many times I can do this to my body and put my family through it.

"I'm going to take time to reflect on whats happened. I'm the best heavyweight in the world outside of the champions, let's not forget that."

An emotional Tony Bellew after the fight (Image: LAWRENCE LUSTIG)

Bellew and Haye were respectful after the fight (Image: Getty)

Bellew also insisted he would have beaten Haye even if his rival had not suffered the injury.

He added: "I felt like it was a matter of time until I got him.

"I said all along that my plan was never to be ahead after four or five rounds, my plan was to gas him.

"I think he was still physically tiring. Everyone has got to remember, I faced the best version of him in the first five rounds.

Bellew with his wife-to-be Rachael (Image: tonybellew/Instagram)

Haye was on top before suffering an injury (Image: REUTERS)

"He hit me with everything he had and he didn't hurt me.

'Everyone’s stealing my thunder by saying Tony beat a man with one leg. No, Tony took everything he had for five rounds.